# Nate Boulton

Nate Boulton (born May 23, 1980) is an American politician who served in the Iowa Senate from 2017 to 2025. Boulton, a Democrat, represented the 20th and 16th districts. Boulton was first elected in 2016 to replace retiring Democratic Senator Dick Dearden.
In May 2017, Boulton announced his candidacy for the Iowa gubernatorial election, 2018 with a video on Twitter. He suspended his campaign in May 2018 shortly after The Des Moines Register published the accounts of three women accusing Boulton of sexual misconduct.

## Early life and education

Boulton grew up in Columbus Junction.
He earned his J.D. degree from Drake Law School in 2005 and was admitted to the Iowa bar that year. He also holds a Master’s of Public Administration from Drake University and a Bachelor’s in history and political science from Simpson College. He has served on the Simpson College Alumni Board and as an adjunct professor at Simpson.

## Career

Outside the legislature, Boulton is a partner with Hedberg & Boulton, where he practices in workers compensation, personal injury and labor law. He has served as vice-president of the Iowa Association for Justice and as president of the Iowa Workers' Compensation Advisory Committee. He also acts as a grader for the Iowa Bar Exam. He has taught courses in labor law at Drake Law School, sports law and business law at Simpson College, and organizational management and moral leadership at William Penn University.

### State senate

Boulton was elected to his first term in the Iowa Senate in 2016. He represented the people of Senate District 16 on the Northeast side of Des Moines and in Pleasant Hill until 2023. In 2023, he was redistricted to District 20.
He is ranking member on the Labor & Business Relations Committee. He also serves on the appropriations, commerce and judiciary committees.

### Gubernatorial campaign (2017–2018)

On May 4, 2017 Boulton announced his candidacy for Governor of Iowa. His platform includes fighting for workers' rights, as he was an outspoken opponent of the collective bargaining bill that was passed by the Republican led Iowa Legislature. He also voiced strong support for public education in Iowa. Former Presidential Candidate Martin O'Malley lauded Boulton's announcement, writing on Twitter, "The future is now. Congratulations @NateBoulton on entering the race for #IAGov #iapolitics".
Boulton suspended his campaign in May 2018 after The Des Moines Register published the accounts of three women accusing Boulton of sexual misconduct. The allegations against Boulton included non-consensual groping and frotteurism.

## Electoral history

| Election | Political result | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| Iowa State Senate primary elections, 2016 District 16 Turnout: 3,054 | Democratic | Nate Boulton | Democratic | 1,614 | 52.85% |
| Iowa State Senate primary elections, 2016 District 16 Turnout: 3,054 | Democratic | Pam Dearden Conner | Democratic | 1,438 | 47.09% |
| Iowa State Senate primary elections, 2016 District 16 Turnout: 3,054 | Democratic | Write-ins | Democratic | 2 | 0.07% |
| Iowa State Senate elections, 2016 District 16 Turnout: 23,485 | Democratic hold | Nate Boulton | Democratic | 14,046 | 59.81% |
| Iowa State Senate elections, 2016 District 16 Turnout: 23,485 | Democratic hold | Mike Pryor | Republican | 8,114 | 34.55% |
| Iowa State Senate elections, 2016 District 16 Turnout: 23,485 | Democratic hold | Christopher Whiteing | Libertarian | 1,254 | 5.34% |
| Iowa State Senate elections, 2016 District 16 Turnout: 23,485 | Democratic hold | Write-ins | | 71 | 0.30% |